England World Cup stars told how to make phones safe from Russian hackers

June 1, 2018

England World Cup stars told how to make phones safe from Russian hackers

ENGLAND’S World Cup stars will be briefed by spooks from GCHQ on how to stop them falling victim to teams of Russian hackers.

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DANGER: Cyber criminals are expected to target England stars

“The NCSC is providing expert cyber security advice to the Football Association ahead of their departure to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup”

National Cyber Security Centre Spokesman

Cyber criminals are expected to target foreigners arriving for the tournament – with rich players vulnerable to being fleeced online.

Football chiefs fear big name stars could fall victim to blackmailers if their personal “clouds” are compromised and they have sensitive photographs uploaded.

The Football Association is taking advice from GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre – AKA the NCSC.

A spokesman for the centre said: “The NCSC is providing expert cyber security advice to the Football Association ahead of their departure to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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HACKERS: Football chiefs fear big name stars could fall victim

“A recent NCSC blog highlighted advice for fans using devices while abroad which should be read alongside existing Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice and guidance offered on the `Be On The Ball: World Cup 2018′ website.”

The site includes advise to supporters on how to stay safe during the tournament.

Technology will play a major part in the England players’ lives in their camp in Repino.

Each one will take multiple devices – smartphones, tablets and gaming platforms – to the training base near St Petersburg.

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PROTECTED: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) logo

Boss Gareth Southgate said most of his squad will play video games during their time off.

“In terms of how they occupy their time in the hotel a lot of them are young kids, it will be `Fortnite’ or whatever it is,” he said

With so many electronic devices going with the team the FA will thoroughly screen all devices belonging to players and backroom to ensure they have the appropriate security software installed to protect them from interference.

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England manager Gareth Southgate

The players will also be told which devices they can safely use and where.